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Goalkeepers are often the difference between sides in a league. Sometimes a good goalkeeper can save points that ending up being the difference between staying up or getting relegated or even finishing in the top half or qualifying for the Champions League slots.
The Premier League is blessed with some excellent keepers with 17 no.1s of the 20 already capped at the senior level by their countries with a lot of sides employing two full internationals in their ranks.
So who among them is the best? We have decided to rank the top 5 goalkeepers currently in the Premier League.
5. Jack Butland (Stoke City)
Until injury hampered his progress, Butland was fast moving towards becoming one of the best in the world. Despite Joe Hart starting in front of him in the England goal, Butland is rated highly. He won Stoke's Player of the Year award in his first full season as number 1 in 2015-16.
Stoke's number 1 started his career at Birmingham City before a move to Stoke where eventually replaced Asmir Begovic in goal. Butland is a good shot stopper and his reflexes are top notch. His positioning has seen him make difficult saves look easy. In goalkeeping terms- he is the full package.
Considering that goalkeepers play into their forties on several occasions, we probably have seen nothing even close to the heights Butland could possibly reach in the future.
4. Tom Heaton (Burnley)
It took a long time for the Burnley man to get his due but when he did, he became a regular international and became recognised as one of the best in the league. Heaton began his career at Manchester United where he made no first-team appearances. He moved around on loan to many clubs before signing with Cardiff City.
After another short spell at Bristol City whom he joined in 2012, Heaton settled in Burnley for the last five seasons making 169 appearances. He is known for his quick reflexes in one on one situations and has particularly excelled in pressure situations.
Heaton comes into the top 5 ahead of Petr Cech, who has declined ever so slightly in the recent years. In the tough environment of the Premier League, the smallest of margins is all it takes to lose your spot.
3. Thibaut Courtios
Courtois played three seasons on loan at Atletico Madrid, for whom he has played more times than he has for Chelsea. That amusing stat aside, the 6ft 6 goalkeeper has impressed one and all on his Chelsea journey.
Courtois is still 25, learning his strides as a goalkeeper and is already considered to be one of the best goalkeeping talents in Europe. He has come into criticism occasionally for not having a better sense of positioning but his stop stopping ability and command in the box overwhelm the small flaws in his game that he can still iron out.
In truth, the Belgium no. 1 is slightly ahead of both Heaton and Butland on experience at the highest level- i.e. the Champions League and the International level. He makes it count for Chelsea when he is on the pitch and that is probably more than enough to carry him higher.
2. Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspurs)
The France no. 1 and Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris signed from Lyon in 2012. He has firmly held the number 1 slot in the Spurs side while having made 93 appearances for France. Lloris was constantly linked with a move from Spurs especially in his first couple of seasons when Tottenham were not playing as well as they have more recently.
Lloris is not a keeper constantly in the headlines but is more than handy when called upon. He is one who closes in on the attacker and makes it difficult for players to get the shot away.
A great decision maker, Lloris is a collected presence in the Spurs goal. He grabbed the eyeballs in a Champions League clash against Bayer Leverkusen last season with a one-handed stop to deny Javier Hernandez, now of West Ham.
Lloris is also a regular presence in the squad and also captains both Spurs and France.
1.David de Gea (Manchester United)
The subject of a spectacular failed attempt to take him to Real Madrid two seasons ago, the Manchester United man always makes the headlines. David De Gea has been voted the MUFC Player of the Season for three years in a row and has been named in Ballon 'd Or shortlist this year.
De Gea's quick reflexes and ability to distribute the ball make him a valuable asset to United. He single-handedly saved them many points over the last few seasons, having constantly been under pressure from a generally below-par Man Utd defence.
Real Madrid are keen to bring the player back to Spain and with De Gea also keen according to sources, one never knows how long the United-De Gea relationship will last.
That aside, De Gea is a cut above the rest challenging Buffon and Neuer (who looks as if he has lost some confidence) for the best goalkeeper slot in the world.
